Congenital Malaria Among Inborn And Out Born Babies At A Tertiary Care Hospital In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, South-South Nigeria.

Abstract

Congenital malaria is increasingly reported among babies born to mothers residing in endemic areas. Congenital malaria is a major problem in tropical and subtropical countries, it can be transferred vertically from the placenta of an infected pregnant woman to her foetus or perinatally during labour. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of congenital malaria in newborn babies delivered in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and to determine the level of parasitaemia in the mothers and their placentae. The prevalence of congenital malaria was studied in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching hospital from 2009 to 2010. Blood samples of maternal, placental, cord and neonatal blood were taken and malaria rapid immuno-diagnostic tests were carried out using Plasmodium falciparum Rapid Test Device. Tick films were examined microscopically for malaria parasite. Neonatal blood samples were collected at birth, on days 3, 5 and 7. Twenty-two (84.6%) out of 26 placental blood samples collected were positive for Plasmodium falciparum. For cord blood, maternal blood, and neonatal blood, the following results were obtained; 19 (73%), 13 (50%) and 78 (67.2%). The prevalence rate was 69% and parasite count ranged from 50 to 1020. Plasmodium falciparum was the dominant species. All the babies with congenital malaria had infected mothers, placenta and cord (p<0.001). Transplacental transmission of Plasmodium falciparum that may lead to congenital malaria is in existence in this locality. Thus direct infection to the foetus could contribute to prematurity, low birth weight, or increased likelihood of early and subsequent infant infections.

Keywords: Congenital, Malaria, Neonates, Placental, Parasitaemia